a day in the life of a megasaurusrex

*Client describes a scenario about a vet from a different clinic (that actually sounds reasonable and understandable but left them unimpressed)*

Client: I don't think she knew what she was doing. Must've been a new grad.

Hellooooooo tumblr It’s been ages, I know. I made a tumblr as an outlet for when I was feeling down and procrastination whilst at uni, and it did certainly serve its purpose. Thus, I’ve been pretty inactive this past year as… I’m doing great!

So what’s new?

I’m finally a vet! I’ve been working for about 6 months now (my how time flies) at a small animal clinic, and it’s fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for a better job. Great staff team, good facilities, busy clinic with interesting cases, decent pay and good support for professional development. No after hours, no sole charge. Everyone at my clinic has been so super supportive of me being a new grad and knowing nothing, if it weren’t for my want to go to the UK I don’t think I’d even leave in the future. The only downsides - due to the sheer workload of the clinic I’m often staying back 1-2hrs (unpaid) catching up on writing histories. And it can be long days (12hrs+!). I also only have one surgery day/week so I’m not really improving my surgical skills as quick as I’d like.

I’m very aware that had I not landed what is possibly the best job possible (for me) I may not be as happy as I am now. So advice to any peeps out there who are impending graduation: don’t settle for just any ol’ job if you can afford to. Find one that is right for you. Most importantly is ensuring that its going to be a supportive team. Never be afraid to ask questions when you’re unsure. Mention it in your interview, and gauge their reaction. If they support it, great. If they dodge the topic then I’d personally be a bit more wary.

Also what's been very important is that work-life-balance thing people are always talking about. I've got a great set of friends that when I'm not at work, I'm usually hanging out (irl or online) with them. I don't love work so much that it consumes my life, and I don't wake up excited to go to work (I'd still rather just lie in bed in my pjs thanks) but I don't dread it, and when I'm there I enjoy it, and I can't see myself having done anything else.

Any vet students out there seeking some advice or just want to hear more about what it’s like being a new grad fresh out of uni feel free to send me an ask or reblog or whatevs.

It has been 11 days since I first watched Moana. It has been 2 days since I watched it for the second time. The music has been playing in my head non-stop since. We knew it with Hamilton, but Moana has solidified it. 

Lin is a genius. 

You cannot go and sit in a quiet space, listen to the music loudly and absorb yourself in it, and tell me you cannot feel the emotion in the songs. 

I’ve done it.

I’ve passed my exams.

I (should have) passed all my placements - haven’t heard otherwise and no reason to believe otherwise.

Pending graduation in less than 1 month.

I have so much free time I don’t even know what to do with myself.

This 

is

When I was in first year, I was sure that I was going to hate clinical practice, because I was a socially awkward person who didn’t know how to communicate with people, and mistook that as hating people. I was convinced that it wasn’t for me, and roles in government or industry would be the way to go.

Over the next few years, I recognised that I would still most likely start out in clinical practice. My dislike for it decreased in intensity, as I did enjoy the medicine and problem solving. Also it would feel like a waste of all the knowledge gained throughout the course if I didn’t at least put some of it to practice for a while. So by that stage, I was convinced I’d go into clinical practice for a few years, but there’s no way I’d be able to stay in it forever.

Now, in final year, where the entire year has been spent out in clinics, turns out I actually really like it. I especially like the clinics where the clients tell me “You’ve picked a great place, coming here. The vets here are the best! I’ve been coming here for 15 years!”. This is a sentiment I aspire to - to have such a personal, close relationship with clients who respect and admire you.

Finally, the next stage has come along. I’ve started wanting to open my own clinic. This spurred from 1) Seeing a vet who did own his own clinic, and enjoyed every bit of it. He got to do things the way he wanted, and had a great team, even if it was just a small one. and 2) Seeing things poorly done in clinics, particularly when the employee vets just do it because that’s how the boss wants it done. If I had my own clinic, I could have everything exactly how I want, I can provide the high standard of care that I want without anyone complaining or telling me otherwise, and choose who I want to work with because I get to hire them! 

Of course, there are multiple hurdles in amongst that. It’s still just an idea, and one that is very far off. I’ve already got my practice partners - my housemates throughout vet school are my best friends, and I don’t imagine that’d change too terribly in the future. We’ve all got similar mindsets and similar values, and haven’t fight over anything (yet). In my mind, the biggest hurdle to me would be finances. How on earth would I go about funding this endeavour?

Half way through the final year of DVM, I’m ready to be having a go at more desexing surgeries, simple clinical procedures, starting consults.. but at the same time I’m still scared of the responsibility. I have confidence, but I also have fear and uncertainty pushing squashing that confidence and trying to put a padlock on it. 

New placement tomorrow, already off to a bad start as I forgot to call to confirm what time to start (they didn’t reply to my email) and the vet probably thinks I’m a stalker because we happened to be at the same volunteering event last week and I went up and introduced myself pretty much as soon as she arrived (in hindsight, I shouldn’t have done that).. 

Fingers crossed I’ll be more assertive than my previous placements, and make sure I ask to have a go if they don’t offer. I’ll fake it till I make it.